Seven Tips for Visiting Lake McConaughy in Nebraska

Have you been to this hidden gem in Nebraska? My family and I just got back from a trip there and boy, do we have some details for you! If you're looking for a weekend away with sandy beaches and gorgeous cliffs, Lake McConaughy is your place. Let's break down what I learned on our trip & tips for you to have an awesome time!

1. where to stay: hotel, cabin, or camping

For our trip, we stayed at the Best Western Plus in Ogallala for $165 per night! This hotel is great on paper, but there were quite a few bumps during our stay. Some of the sheets weren't clean and the staff wasn't super friendly. I'd recommend trying the Hampton Inn or Holiday Inn, which were close to the area we stayed in. 

​I opted for a hotel because I did not see many rentals or cabins near the water that were affordable & had good reviews! 

2. where to swim

Our favorite beach spot on the lake was Martin Bay! We drove to the furthest parking lot once we entered, which was Beach Area #1. We visited the weekend after Memorial Day and we only saw four other families! 

The night before our beach day, we drove through Martin Bay, Sandy Beach, and walked around Spring Park. This made our beach day a lot simpler because we knew where we wanted to set up the following day. The water was a bit chilly since it was May, but swimming is allowed at Martin Bay!

3. where to eat

The dining experience here was interesting. The second night we decided to try the Front Street Steakhouse, which has great reviews. We walked in, waited for a hostess, didn’t see anyone, so sat down at a table. 

I’d say we waited about 15 minutes and no one spoke to us or handed us menus. The bartenders too saw us sit down, looked at us & whispered to each other, but didn’t say anything! We left to find another place. 

The next spot we tried was The Driftwood in Ogallala. It was packed at about 6:30pm, with a 40 minute wait. We were pretty hungry at this point, so we opted for another place. I’d recommend trying The Driftwood though because they did give us good service and what place is crowded doesn’t have good food? Maybe shoot for an early dinner to avoid a wait, like at 5pm.

4. keep your sandals on

The beach was pretty clean, but I did notice broken glass here and there. I’d recommend it if you have littles to keep their flip flops on while playing in the sand!

5. price for daily pass

A cost for a daily pass is $7 for a Nebraska licensed vehicle and $14 if you’re out of state. You can also purchase a Annual Nebraska State Park Pass for $36, which will get you into any 76 of Nebraska State Parks for one year!

6. great scenic overlook

One of my favorite overlooks was one we saw on the way out from the lake. You will see it right when you exit the bridge around the lake. It's situated between the bridge and Spillway Bay. The sunset was pretty wild there, you’ll have to make time to stop! If you love photography too, Spillway Bay is a gorgeous spot to snap photos of the rocky cliffs.

7. pack an easy beach lunch

 I made pinwheels in our hotel the night before our beach day and this way a perfect lunch on the beach! It was nice to arrive, set up, lounge around, & not have to pack up everything to grab lunch.

​The Cove Restaurant & Lounge did look like it had good reviews too, which is at Admiral Cove’s Resort near Lemoyne. I will definitely consider trying that place next time!

That's a wrap! Thanks for stopping by. I hope these tips prepare you well to take a beach trip to Lake McConaughy! 

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